Customer Reviews

Definitive Collection

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Sammy Davis Jr. is one of the most important figures in American popular music. When he first came on the scene, he was initially ostracized for, among other reasons, his height and his skin color. And even afer he broke down those barriers, with the help of a good friend named Frank Sinatra, he then had to overcome a terrible tragedy that cost him half his vision. And still, Sammy persevered to become one of the most beloved figures in popular music.

The 30 song "The Definitive Collection" perfectly show why Sammy remains as beloved as he does. Sammy's talent and perseverence as an artist shines through on each and every track, from "Hey There" to "Something's Gotta Give" to "The Lady Is A Tramp" to "What Kind Of Fool Am I" to his anthem, "I've Gotta Be Me" (one of the most powerful and uplifting songs ever) and everything in between. Sammy's skills as a vocalist are powerful, pure and beaten by few. Even fluff like "Candy Man" becomes a masterpiece in his hands. Sammy was a one of a kind talent with great flair and energy as a performer. God Bless Him.

This cd has a great remastering job and has an awesome essay by David Ritz. A must-have for all music fans.

I bought this CD for my 21y/o son who is finally developing a taste for good music. This is a great starter CD for anyone looking to hear a variety of great songs by one of the all time best singers of our generation. Well worth the purchase.

Sammy Davis Jr is One of my all time Favorite Artists. he truly had a way with words&His overall Talent paved the way for so many artists that have followed over the years. "Candy man" is my Jam. always have loved that song. dug "Keep Your eye on the Sparrow" was the cut from the Tv show "Baretta. always dug that cut. "Mr.Bojangles" is also a trademark from Sammy. he had a very distictive voice. he was truly one of a Kind.

This is a great collection of his best songs - and contains his really incredible rendition of Too Close for Comfort. It's a great cd to put on while you sip something warm and wrap yourself in the jazzy, caressing sound of Sammy's voice. The one downside is that the recordings, even though remastered, are just the tiniest bit fuzzy. Still, it's such a great songlist that it's really worth owning.

My mom and dad would see Sammy in Vegas(circa 1963 to 1967), and Hollywood(Cocanut Grove), and come home in utter ecstasy--- they couldn't fall asleep until about 7 AM..As a dopey teenager,I could not appreciate the utter magnificance of their evening's out night...I'm 62 now and would kill to have such memories. My world is utter dreck by comparison... They actualy saw Sinatra at the Sands about 1965...primo Sinatra vocals...God,I wish I had such memories...and Sammy with the rat pack about 1966...what do I have? Crap,that's what... Sammy is the greatest on stage entertainer of this century-before and beyond..I have all of his recordings and will never,ever give them away...His rendition of "Something's Gotta Give" is sheer perfection,not to mention "The Birth of the Blues",his signature number...

Sammy Davis, Jr. is often remembered and mentioned for his numerous eccentricities and the tortured, tragic life he sometimes led. But in all of the analysis and probing of his life, it needs to be remembered that he was considered by many to be the most talented, most versatile entertainer of the 20th century. Only Al Jolson drew similar comparisons for his talent. Sammy Davis, Jr. was a great singer, dancer, and actor, having honed his crafts from his youth.

On "The Definitive Collection," Sammy succeeds in reminding the listener what all the fuss was about. Whether you're listening to "Hey There," "Something's Gotta Give," "What Kind of Fool Am I," "The Shelter of Your Arms," and many more, you can hear the humor, charm, and polished, unbridled talent that thrilled audiences for fifty-odd years.

Remember the genius, remember the talent, remember the man. Nothing else should matter to a grateful audience.

...for a balanced, more concise representation of this vastly underrated singer you should also pick up "I've Gotta Be Me: The Best of Sammy Davis Jr. On Reprise". Wonderfully remastered by Lee Herschberg, the Reprise collection, while overlaping a few songs and not covering the years before and after his stint with Reprise, is sonically superior and an equally amazing listening experience.

Al the hits in one CD, including the theme from "Baretta", the TV show. Great listening for Sammy fans, we miss him!

all the hits of sammy davis on one cd, excellent quality and content 10 out of 10

Sammy Davis Jr was one of the Best Ever! This cd is a great overview of some of his finest work. It has everything from his early stuff right through to even his theme song for the TV series Barretta. What this collection has over others is that it contains Sammy's Definitive version of "Mr. Bogangles". I can just pictiure him doing this complete with hat and great dance moves. If you don't get the box set by Rhino out there,this cd is a terrific starter in introduce people to. Enjoy.